Oss Oss Wee Oss! (1953)

[Kitty]

This is a really amazing documentary of the May Day festivities in Cornwall that which are still performed today. I think my favorite part is around 11:00, which made me tear up. I love how the adults and the children participate! I sure wish they had stuff like this in America. This was released in 1953, but is footage of the 1951 festivities. You can read about the tradition a bit here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%27Obby_%27Oss_festival

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISO1QmG_VE4

There is also a follow-up filmed over 50 years later. It's not available for free, but here is a trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1brC9tuWzU

[donnie]

Wow, that's quite a strange and interesting tradition, isn't it? I'd never heard of anything related to this. It's wonderful how these local customs and routines developed, and It's also wonderful how they've kept it going.

I did like the part where the old once-dancer handed the baton over to his grandson. You can tell what enjoyment everyone is experiencing and how special this event is to them.

[Kitty]

You can tell what enjoyment everyone is experiencing and how special this event is to them.

It really makes you wish you were in the crowd, doesn't it?
Later in the day yesterday, I watched The Wicker Man (1973), and I'm glad I watched this documentary before that movie, as some of the imagery made a lot more sense. The whole movie centers in on May Day festivities, as it takes place on an island where everyone follows pagan gods. I loved the movie, but I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart or prudish, because it is weird. After all, it's one of those strange horror/mystery films from the 70s.

[Kitty]

Here's a fascinating newsreel of the festival, 1932. It was the first time the sound was ever recorded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y84DhJ6EIQk